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Few Va. universities have studied food insecurity among students, though 80% say it’s an issue

Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Virginia Mercury

Most of Virginia’s public universities and colleges are aware of student food insecurity  at their institutions, according to a November survey conducted by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. 80% labeled on-campus food insecurity as a “somewhat” or “very problematic” issue. The total number of college students experiencing food insecurity is unclear because not all public colleges and universities are tracking the issue, and the economic and social stigma associated with food insecurity has prevented students from asking for help. A total of 35 of 39 institutions completed the survey, representing 343,797 students. According to SCHEV, the coordinating body for the state’s colleges and universities, eight institutions said they had researched food insecurity affecting their students, while 19 had not and eight did not know or preferred not to say. 

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